Towing question
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Junior Member
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From: Calgary, Canada
Towing question
2003 Supercrew 4 x 4 ,5.4 L, 3.73 gears.
The ford book tells me that I am maxed out on my towing @ 7100
LBS.
Just wondering what kinds of weights people have been towing with their trucks.
The trailer I am looking @ is 5000 Dry. I think to safely tow in the mountains I shold be @ 4000 - 4500
Any input would be appreciated.
SR
The ford book tells me that I am maxed out on my towing @ 7100
LBS.
Just wondering what kinds of weights people have been towing with their trucks.
The trailer I am looking @ is 5000 Dry. I think to safely tow in the mountains I shold be @ 4000 - 4500
Any input would be appreciated.
SR
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,358
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From: Commerce Twp, MI
I have the same drivetrain and complain about 3000 pounds back there right now. Keeping the speeds down and overdrive off would be less noticable. 5000 pounds dry is more like 6000 pounds loaded, plus whatever other equipment/cargo/passengers you have in the truck. I am sure your truck will do it, but you'll be getting 6-8mpg in the mountains and sticking to the slow lane.
Last edited by APT; Jan 22, 2004 at 07:20 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 632
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From: San Antonio, TX
You're thinking properly...
My general rule of thumb is not to exceed 75% of the MAX towing for a vehicle. Based on your load, you might want to move up...
Then again, after you get it, weigh it all out and go from there. Don't forget about the fact that you will be carrying passengers and gear, that's an easy 1k pounds...
Later,
Chris
Then again, after you get it, weigh it all out and go from there. Don't forget about the fact that you will be carrying passengers and gear, that's an easy 1k pounds...
Later,
Chris
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 632
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From: San Antonio, TX
Originally posted by cab_01
I have no problems towing. I go up hills at 55 mph in 2 gear at about 3500 rpm. I have the 5.4 3.55, but it is not a 4 wheel drive.
I have no problems towing. I go up hills at 55 mph in 2 gear at about 3500 rpm. I have the 5.4 3.55, but it is not a 4 wheel drive.
I tow, I know that you're doing what you have to..
Saying "you have no problems" - is better put to read to the average Joe that it is suitable for your purposes. Some people may not be satisfied with the same things..
Do you pull at 55 or 65+?
Here in Texas, everyone tows around 70 MPH and I don't think you would get that rig in your picture rolling along easily at 70 MPH without a diesel. But I could be wrong there!
Last edited by ReelWork; Jan 22, 2004 at 11:22 AM.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15
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From: San diego
ReelWork,
The only time I have to slow down is on the hills. I usually tow at 70 mph. I can tow faster than that and have(usually to pass someone). Most people are surprised that it tows so well. My father in-law thought I was flooring it to get up to speed. I let him drive it and he could not believe the power he had.
I worried a lot about towing a 5th wheel with this truck and I researched the hell out of it, but I could not be happier. I thought I would have problems going up hill and I thought I would need airbags because of the weight in the bed. I was wrong on both accounts.
Bob
The only time I have to slow down is on the hills. I usually tow at 70 mph. I can tow faster than that and have(usually to pass someone). Most people are surprised that it tows so well. My father in-law thought I was flooring it to get up to speed. I let him drive it and he could not believe the power he had.
I worried a lot about towing a 5th wheel with this truck and I researched the hell out of it, but I could not be happier. I thought I would have problems going up hill and I thought I would need airbags because of the weight in the bed. I was wrong on both accounts.
Bob
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 632
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From: San Antonio, TX
Ohhh....
Well, that explains some of it.. I didn't know you had a 5th wheel.. Couldn't really tell in the small picture, just looks like a Big A$$ trailer! LOL
Yes, 5th wheels tow a heckuva lot nice and it doesn't surpirse me that you are towing as well as you say knowing that now.
Best wishes and take care!
Chris
Yes, 5th wheels tow a heckuva lot nice and it doesn't surpirse me that you are towing as well as you say knowing that now.
Best wishes and take care!
Chris
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You need to have the "whoa" and just the "go" in regards to towing. I have been involved with towing for many years and would love to give you some insight as to how much you can load your truck down with.
First thing, Ford's numbers in the towing guide are basically a pipe dream. If you read the fine print, their numbers represent a fully stripped down 2x4 with no extra creature comforts.
To know exactly how much weight you can legally tow, you need to know how much your truck weighs with a full tank of gas, and all of the extras you plan to carry in your truck. This includes people. pets, campfire wood, tools, generator, cooler, etc.
Once you have this loaded into your truck head over to your nearest CAT scale, you can find them at truck stops. The reason you want to weigh on a CAT scale is because they will give you weight for each axle, not just the total weight of the vehicle. After you have your weigh slip from the scale, you can add the front and rear axle weights together to know how much your truck weighs.
To know how much weight you can add to your truck, including 5er pin weight or TT tongue weight, subtract the total truck weight from above from your truck's GVWR, which is 6600.
GVWR - Total Weight = Leftover Carrying Capacity
Now you need to find out how heavy a trailer you can tow. To do this, subtract the total weight of your loaded truck from the GCWR for your truck, which is 13,000.
GCWR - Total Weight = Weight Of Trailer That Can Be Pulled
You also have to make sure you do not exceed your GAWR of 3660 on the truck's back axle.
You will be able to tow a larger TT than you will a 5er, as TT's do not add as much weight to the trucks GVW as a 5er's pin does. Once you work the numbers, you'll find that to stay legal, you won't reach Ford's publicized numbers in the towing guide.
Even if you are able to get an overweight load moving, remember you will have to stop it at some point. No matter how much distance you leave between you and the guy in front of you, panic stops are inevitable, someone in a little ricer always cuts you off.
Also, having been there, pulling an overloaded rig through the mountains is no fun. I have been in a truck with smoking, faded brakes, barely able to get the rig stopped. In my opinion, overloading a truck is not worth my life, or the lives of fellow drivers on the road...I would rather spend the extra hard earned cash for a truck rated to pull the load.
Hope this helps some of you out.
-Rich
First thing, Ford's numbers in the towing guide are basically a pipe dream. If you read the fine print, their numbers represent a fully stripped down 2x4 with no extra creature comforts.
To know exactly how much weight you can legally tow, you need to know how much your truck weighs with a full tank of gas, and all of the extras you plan to carry in your truck. This includes people. pets, campfire wood, tools, generator, cooler, etc.
Once you have this loaded into your truck head over to your nearest CAT scale, you can find them at truck stops. The reason you want to weigh on a CAT scale is because they will give you weight for each axle, not just the total weight of the vehicle. After you have your weigh slip from the scale, you can add the front and rear axle weights together to know how much your truck weighs.
To know how much weight you can add to your truck, including 5er pin weight or TT tongue weight, subtract the total truck weight from above from your truck's GVWR, which is 6600.
GVWR - Total Weight = Leftover Carrying Capacity
Now you need to find out how heavy a trailer you can tow. To do this, subtract the total weight of your loaded truck from the GCWR for your truck, which is 13,000.
GCWR - Total Weight = Weight Of Trailer That Can Be Pulled
You also have to make sure you do not exceed your GAWR of 3660 on the truck's back axle.
You will be able to tow a larger TT than you will a 5er, as TT's do not add as much weight to the trucks GVW as a 5er's pin does. Once you work the numbers, you'll find that to stay legal, you won't reach Ford's publicized numbers in the towing guide.
Even if you are able to get an overweight load moving, remember you will have to stop it at some point. No matter how much distance you leave between you and the guy in front of you, panic stops are inevitable, someone in a little ricer always cuts you off.
Also, having been there, pulling an overloaded rig through the mountains is no fun. I have been in a truck with smoking, faded brakes, barely able to get the rig stopped. In my opinion, overloading a truck is not worth my life, or the lives of fellow drivers on the road...I would rather spend the extra hard earned cash for a truck rated to pull the load.
Hope this helps some of you out.
-Rich
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From: Calgary, Canada
Originally posted by WebGuyRich
You need to have the "whoa" and just the "go" in regards to towing. I have been involved with towing for many years and would love to give you some insight as to how much you can load your truck down with.
First thing, Ford's numbers in the towing guide are basically a pipe dream. If you read the fine print, their numbers represent a fully stripped down 2x4 with no extra creature comforts.
To know exactly how much weight you can legally tow, you need to know how much your truck weighs with a full tank of gas, and all of the extras you plan to carry in your truck. This includes people. pets, campfire wood, tools, generator, cooler, etc.
Once you have this loaded into your truck head over to your nearest CAT scale, you can find them at truck stops. The reason you want to weigh on a CAT scale is because they will give you weight for each axle, not just the total weight of the vehicle. After you have your weigh slip from the scale, you can add the front and rear axle weights together to know how much your truck weighs.
To know how much weight you can add to your truck, including 5er pin weight or TT tongue weight, subtract the total truck weight from above from your truck's GVWR, which is 6600.
GVWR - Total Weight = Leftover Carrying Capacity
Now you need to find out how heavy a trailer you can tow. To do this, subtract the total weight of your loaded truck from the GCWR for your truck, which is 13,000.
GCWR - Total Weight = Weight Of Trailer That Can Be Pulled
You also have to make sure you do not exceed your GAWR of 3660 on the truck's back axle.
You will be able to tow a larger TT than you will a 5er, as TT's do not add as much weight to the trucks GVW as a 5er's pin does. Once you work the numbers, you'll find that to stay legal, you won't reach Ford's publicized numbers in the towing guide.
Even if you are able to get an overweight load moving, remember you will have to stop it at some point. No matter how much distance you leave between you and the guy in front of you, panic stops are inevitable, someone in a little ricer always cuts you off.
Also, having been there, pulling an overloaded rig through the mountains is no fun. I have been in a truck with smoking, faded brakes, barely able to get the rig stopped. In my opinion, overloading a truck is not worth my life, or the lives of fellow drivers on the road...I would rather spend the extra hard earned cash for a truck rated to pull the load.
Hope this helps some of you out.
-Rich
You need to have the "whoa" and just the "go" in regards to towing. I have been involved with towing for many years and would love to give you some insight as to how much you can load your truck down with.
First thing, Ford's numbers in the towing guide are basically a pipe dream. If you read the fine print, their numbers represent a fully stripped down 2x4 with no extra creature comforts.
To know exactly how much weight you can legally tow, you need to know how much your truck weighs with a full tank of gas, and all of the extras you plan to carry in your truck. This includes people. pets, campfire wood, tools, generator, cooler, etc.
Once you have this loaded into your truck head over to your nearest CAT scale, you can find them at truck stops. The reason you want to weigh on a CAT scale is because they will give you weight for each axle, not just the total weight of the vehicle. After you have your weigh slip from the scale, you can add the front and rear axle weights together to know how much your truck weighs.
To know how much weight you can add to your truck, including 5er pin weight or TT tongue weight, subtract the total truck weight from above from your truck's GVWR, which is 6600.
GVWR - Total Weight = Leftover Carrying Capacity
Now you need to find out how heavy a trailer you can tow. To do this, subtract the total weight of your loaded truck from the GCWR for your truck, which is 13,000.
GCWR - Total Weight = Weight Of Trailer That Can Be Pulled
You also have to make sure you do not exceed your GAWR of 3660 on the truck's back axle.
You will be able to tow a larger TT than you will a 5er, as TT's do not add as much weight to the trucks GVW as a 5er's pin does. Once you work the numbers, you'll find that to stay legal, you won't reach Ford's publicized numbers in the towing guide.
Even if you are able to get an overweight load moving, remember you will have to stop it at some point. No matter how much distance you leave between you and the guy in front of you, panic stops are inevitable, someone in a little ricer always cuts you off.
Also, having been there, pulling an overloaded rig through the mountains is no fun. I have been in a truck with smoking, faded brakes, barely able to get the rig stopped. In my opinion, overloading a truck is not worth my life, or the lives of fellow drivers on the road...I would rather spend the extra hard earned cash for a truck rated to pull the load.
Hope this helps some of you out.
-Rich
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Some folks actually do own enough truck to pull the loads they want, so I like to tell them how to legally figure it out, instead of prodding them to purchase a new truck when they don't really need one. HOWEVER, if someone is in danger of being overloaded, I would rather them find out before they purchase the trailer...or pull the load and something bad happens.
I live in So. CA and know that on occasion, the CHP is forcing some RVer's through the scales on the Cajon Pass (I15). I haven't personally seen it, but have talked to several who were flagged in to be weighed.
With all of the new heavy double and triple slide RV's on the market, law enforcement seems to be worried more about RVer's than previously.
There are rumors that if you tow overloaded, cause an accident (or are involved in one), and they prove you were overloaded, your insurance can drop you and not pay a dime in a settlement. I haven't seen hard evidence to support these rumors as more than just that, but I personally wouldn't want to tow overloaded, cause an accident, kill or injure someone, and know it was my fault for not having enough truck for the load.
Keep safe, and happy trailering!
-Rich
I live in So. CA and know that on occasion, the CHP is forcing some RVer's through the scales on the Cajon Pass (I15). I haven't personally seen it, but have talked to several who were flagged in to be weighed.
With all of the new heavy double and triple slide RV's on the market, law enforcement seems to be worried more about RVer's than previously.
There are rumors that if you tow overloaded, cause an accident (or are involved in one), and they prove you were overloaded, your insurance can drop you and not pay a dime in a settlement. I haven't seen hard evidence to support these rumors as more than just that, but I personally wouldn't want to tow overloaded, cause an accident, kill or injure someone, and know it was my fault for not having enough truck for the load.
Keep safe, and happy trailering!
-Rich
